Kothandaraman Damodaran, also known as 'Chef Damu', is a superstar of Indian cooking who has multiple cooking shows, cookbooks and Guinness World Records to his name.
The chef, who hails from Tamil Nadu, in India’s south, is known for colossal cooking projects like preparing a 14.7-metre dosa and cooking a 6,000kg biryani.
In December 2010, he set a Guinness World Record for the longest cooking marathon, which saw him whip up 617 dishes in little over 24 hours.
I could not walk for three days after cooking for a whole day straight for the Guinness World Record.Chef Damu
Twelve years later, the record still stands.
Last year, Chef Damu was awarded the Culinary Legend Lifetime Achievement Award by the Global Food, Hospitality and Tourism Achievements Award.
Chef Damu visiting a grocery shop in Pendle Hill NSW Credit: SBS Tamil
Early days
Today Chef Damu is considered an expert on the spice-laden cuisine of southern India and is known for his philosophy of “food is medicine”.
He says his love of cooking grew from a love of eating.
"I got the desire to cook from an early age when I saw my mother cooking, but then my mother did not allow me to enter the kitchen.
“She told me not to cook because the first vermicelli upma I made was burnt and salty," he recalls.
Though his passion for cooking grew and grew, Damu initially studied a bachelor’s degree in commerce because of his mother's fears that studying catering would end up in unemployment.
Chef Damu in Sydney NSW Credit: SBS Tamil
Later, he would go on to complete a PhD in Hotel Management and Catering Technology at the University of Madras in 2004.
People started calling me chef only after getting my doctorate.Chef Damu
Familiar face
Chef Damu has hosted numerous cooking shows and reality cooking competitions on Tamil-language television channels, most notably serving as a judge on the popular ‘Cook with Comali’.
He’s also written 26 cookbooks.
"I wanted to achieve something because I thought that we should not just be born and live, so I started writing books,” he says.
While much has changed during Chef Damu’s time in the cooking industry, he’s still hoping for more progress in terms of equality.
“Women are reluctant to choose cooking as a profession,” he says, adding that he is happy to see more young women cooking on YouTube channels and becoming popular through social media.
“YouTube became a boon to those stuck at home during COVID isolation,” he adds.
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Deepavali Festival in Marsden Park
Deepavali greetings
Chef Damu believes cooking is one of the keys to a happy home.
“If your mind is good, you will cook well,” he says.
Chef Damu Credit: SBS Tamil
According to Chef Damu, Deepavali provides a chance for families to cook together.
Deepavali is exciting for me as it’s a reason for me to make more sweets.Chef Damu
Chef Damu says his favourite Diwali dish is Rasmalai, a “delicious” dessert consisting of juicy paneer discs served with thickened milk flavoured with saffron.
“Rasmalai is easy to make, a simple, healthy and tasty sweet everyone can make at home during Deepavali,” says Chef Damu.
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